From NBL1 to Number One: Magbegor takes on Opals' captaincy

Image credit: Gregory Shamus | Getty Images

NBL1 alum and WNBA champion Ezi Magbegor has been unveiled by Australian Head Coach Sandy Brondello as the 15th Opals captain.

It marks the latest achievement in a long list for the former Melbourne Boomer, who will lead the Australian team in their World Cup campaign in Berlin.

The WNBL champion was clear in how she intends to shoulder this responsibility.

"Everyone is a leader on this team, but I want to be the person who is reliable and consistent for the team on the court, an extension of Sandy and show up and be there for my teammates," Magbegor said.

The 2024 Paris bronze medallist aremained humble, giving credit to her predecessors who paved the way for her to become the leader she is now.

"With my personality, I'm definitely an observer, and I feel like over the years, I've watched different leadership styles and learned you can be a different type of leader; you don't have to be the same," Magbegor said.

"I hopefully have taken things from each of them, and they've definitely prepared me for this moment.

"I'm still learning and still leaning on the rest of my teammates."

The now 27-year-old soared for the Geelong Supercats in the NBL1's inaugural season, leading her team in scoring as a 19-year-old.

Her 2019 averages of 18.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks netted her NBL1 Women's All-Star Five honours, the first of its kind.

As the Supercats stormed to the Grand Final with a 17-3 record, Magbegor was important in the decider, amassing 35 points and six rebounds.

The Opals will begin their pursuit of FIBA World Cup glory on Friday at 7.30pm AEST against Puerto Rico, before two more matches in three days against Türkiye and Belgium.